Apparatus for handling veneer



C. E. PARKER APPARATUS FOR HANDLING VENEER Aug. 18, 1951;

Filed Aug. 4, 194B 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 mummnmlw Wuuuuuummiu INVENTOR.

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Aug. 18, 1953 c. E. PARKER APPARATUS FOR HANDLING VENEER 7 Sheets-Sheet2 Filed Aug. 4, 1948 LOM INVENTOR.

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APPARATUS FOR HANDLING VENEER Filed Aug. 4, 1948 7 Sheets-Sheet 3INVENTOR. C/armcz E Er'ker By W? mww/ ,W/

18, 1953 c. E. PARKER 2,649,182

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING VENEER Filed Aug. 4, 1948 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4lllllllll Llllllllll [II] .192} 6 g g H I H INVENTOR.

C/arence 1 Erker BY 4 2 I m 3 Aug. 18, 1953 c. E. PARKER 2,649,182

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING VENEER Filed Aug. 4, 1948 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 I NVEN TOR. 674M068 E firker Mn, 3% aw-61 A'rmmvsys Aug. 18, 1953 c. E.PARKER APPARATUS FOR HANDLING VENEER 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Aug. 4, 1948VIII INVENTOR.

C/areoce E. Fbrker BY W W, W M 5 Aug. 18, 1953 c. E. PARKER APPARATUSFOR HANDLING VENEER 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Aug. 4, 1948 INVEN TOR.Gene/roe 5. Ellen Patented Aug. 18, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEAPPARATUS FOR HANDLING VENEER Clarence E. Parker, Painesville, Ohio,assig-nor to The One Manufacturing Oompany,'.Painesville. Ohio,- acorporation of Ohio Application August 4, 1948, SerlalNo. 42,373

17 Claims. 1:

The present invention relates to material handling apparatusofthe'feeder typeand, more particularly, to apparatus for feeding veneerto a; multiple deck'conveyor type veneer dryer from a stack of veneer.

'Iheprincipalobject of the invention is the provision of a simple,inexpensive and reliable apparatus for feeding veneer from a stack ofveneer to a-muitipledeck conveyor type veneer dryer with minimum eiforton the part of an operator;

A more-- specific object of the invention is the provisicnofa novel andimproved apparatus for feedingveneer from a stack of veneer to amultipic-deck conveyor type veneer dryer in predetermined relation uponthe top piece of a stack of veneer being pushed forwardly of the stackproper a small amount by anvoperator.

The invention resides iii-certain constructions and combinations andarrangements of parts and further objects and advantages will beapparent to those skilled in the art to which it refates fromthe-following description of the preferred embodiment described withreference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of thisspecification in which similar reference characters designatecorresponding parts, and in which Fig; 1 is aside elevational view ofapparatus embodying the present invention for feeding veneer to aconveyor type-veneer'dryer;

Fig; 2 is a-plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, side elevational view of the feeder mechanismproper shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig: 4 is a fragmentary, enlarged. plan view of the mechanism showninFig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view, with portions in elevation,approximately'on-the line 55-of Fig. 3;

Fig.- Bisaseotionalview, Withportions in elevation," approximatelyontheline 6-6 of Fig; 3;

Fig. Tisa fragmentary; elevational view, with portions broken away,looking at the right-hand endof the apparatus shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. S ls a wiring diagram of the electrical circuits-ct the apparatus;and

Fig. 9 is a side elevational view showing adifferent embodiment of-theinvention.-

Referring "to Figs; l'to 8 of the drawings which showthe preferredembodiment, the reference character A' designates the in-feed end of afourdeck, conveyortype, veneer dryer of commercial construction. Thedryer A is not herein shown and described in detail because dryers ofthe type iii) referred to are well known in the art and the dryer per seforms no part of the present invention. As shown, the dryer comprisesfour decks Id, ll, l2; l3 of in-feed rollers I4, I5, l6, I1,respectively. The rollers of the respective decks are alldriven at apredetermined uniform speed by suitablemeans, such as, a sprocket chain,and operate to move sheets of veneer, indicated by the referencecharacter B, to pairs of top rollers 21?, 2|, 2-2 and which cooperatewith the rollers i l; l5, 16; ll at the right-hand ends of the decks Ni,ii, iii, [3, respectively, to feed the veneer to the dryer proper. Asshown, the pairs of top rollers 20, 21, 22, 23 are carried by arms 24,25, 26,- fl pivoted at their right-hand ends on transverselyextendingshafts located above the plane of the decks proper. Gravityholds the top rollers in engagement with the top sides of the sheets ofveneer. The rollers of the various decks are driven, as shown. from anelectric motor 30 connected thereto by suitable sprocket chains,designated generally by the reference character 3|, and the ends of thedecks toward the feeding mechanism-proper, hereinafter more specificallydescribed; converge toward each other; however, this is not essential tothe present invention and the decks may be otherwise arranged.

The usual practice is to bring the veneer to the dryer on trucks andhave workmen remove the veneer from the trucks and feed it into thevarious decks of the dryer by hand. The present invention does notcontemplate any change in the conventional manner of bringing the veneerto the dryer and, as shown, the veneer B is broughtto the in-feed endofthe dryer A, or, more specifically, to the in-ieed end of the feedingmechanismstacked upon a truck 32 of conventional construction. Theoperator either standing upon the floor or upon a raised platformS'dpushes the top piece of veneer on the stack between the rubbercovered pinch rolls 34, 35 of the feed end unit C of the feedingmechanism untilit strikes astop 36. The pinch rolls 34, 35 are movablevertically, as will be hereinafter described, so that the pinch rollscan be maintained in substantial alignment with the top of the stackofveneer upon the truck, thereby facilitating the feeding of the toppiece of veneer between the pinch rolls. Guide members 31, 38 extendingtransversely across the feed end unit in front of the pinch rolls 34, 35provide means for guiding the veneer into the feed end unit even thoughthe pinch rolls are not exactly aligned with the top of the stack ofveneer.

The feeding mechanism comprises the feed end unit C, a floating conveyortable D, and a discharge end unit E. The feed end unit C comprises aframe and a vertically movable assembly. The frame includes right andleft-hand vertical columns 40, 4I, each composed of four channel irons42, 43, 44, 45 arranged as clearly shown in Fig. 5. In addition to thechannel irons referred to, the frame comprises transversely extendingangle members 46, 41 connected to the top of the channel members and byright and left-hand top plates 50, 5I to each other. The verticallymovable assembly of the feed end unit C includes vertically movable endplates 52 housed within the columns 40, 4i and having suitable tubularmembers 54 welded thereto for supporting rollers 55, one located at eachof the four corners of the frames. The rollers 55 engage within suitabletracks 56 at opposite sides of the columns and guide the movable plates52 during their vertical movement. The tracks or guides 55 are carriedby the inner channel irons 42, 44.

Opposite plates 52 of the vertically movable assembly of the feed endunit C are provided with suitable bearings I50 welded thereto forsupporting the shaft-like ends 5| of the bottom roll 34. The right-handend of the shaft BI extends beyond the bearing 60 and is adapted to bedriven from an electric motor 52 mounted on a plate 63 welded to theright-hand plate 52 of the vertically movable assembly and operativelyconnected to the shaft 6| through a gear reduction 64 and a sprocketchain drive, designated generally by the reference character 65.

The upper roll 35 of the feed end unit C is similar to the lower roll 34and includes shaft- 1.

like extensions 66 projecting from opposite ends. which shaft-likeextensions project through elongated slots 51 in the plates 52 wherethey are supported in suitable bearings I fixedly connected to the freeends of levers II pivoted about stud shafts I2 connected to the plates52 by sleeve members 13 welded to the plates 52. The righthand end ofthe roll 35 is adapted to be driven by a pair of gears 14, I5, theformer of which is keyed to the right-hand end of the shaft 65 and thelatter to the hub of a sprocket wheel I5 rotatably supported on theprojecting end of the shaft 12. The sprocket wheel I0 is adapted to bedriven from the shaft 6| by a sprocket chain I1 operatively connected tothe sprocket wheel I5 and to a sprocket wheel I8 keyed to the shaft 5 I.An idler sprocket wheel 80 is supported on an eccentric BI and heldassembled thereon by a nut 82. The eccentric BI is adjustably carried bya pin 03 welded to the adjacent plate 52 and provides means foradjusting the tension of the sprocket chain 11. The construction Justdescribed is such that the two pinch rolls 34 and 35 are rotated atuniform speed by the motor 62.

The weight of the upper roll 35 tends to keep it in engagement with thelower roll 34 but the upper roll 35 is normally maintained in spacedrelation to the lower roll by fluid pressure operated motors 04, one ateither side of the infeed unit C, the cylinder assemblies of which arepivotally connected to brackets 85 fixed to the plates 52 and the pistonassemblies of which are pivotally connected to arms 36 formed integralwith the arms or levers II which carry the bearings I0 for the upperroll 35. The control for supply of pressure fluid to the motors 84 willbe hereinafter specifically referred to and is such that the motors 84can be operated to move the upper roll 35 toward and from the lower roll34 and during the operation of the machine this is automaticallyeffected periodically to feed a piece of veneer, the end of which hasbeen pushed into the opening between the pinch rolls 34, 35 by theoperator.

A suitable stop in the form of a transversely extending channel member30 normally positioned in the path of veneer being pushed between thepinch rolls 34, 35, limits the forward movement of the veneer as it ispushed forward by the operator. The stop 35 is fixedly connected to theright-hand end of levers 81 pivotally connected intermediate their endsto the plates 52 by pivots 08. The oppositely extending, free ends ofthe arms 01 project underneath antifriction bearings on the shaft-likepart 66 of the upper roll 35 and when the upper roll is lowered, theengagement between the bearin members 90 and the ends of the levers 81will cause the levers 81 to be pivoted about their pivots 33 and thestop or channel member 35 raised out of the path of the veneer.

The vertically movable assembly of the feed end unit C and the operatingmechanism forming a part thereof or connected thereto, including thepinch rolls 34, 35 and the feed end of the floating conveyor table D,are adapted to be moved vertically so that the pinch rolls will bealigned or approximately aligned with the top of the stack of veneerupon the truck 32 by an infeed end unit, reversible electric hoist motorI00 including a solenoid release brake and connected by a gear reductionunit IOI and a sprocket chain drive I02 to a transversely extendingshaft I03 extending across the top of the frame of the feed end unit Cand rotatably supported in a plurality of bearings I04, I05. The shaftI03 is connected to the vertically movable plates 52 by a sprocket chainI06, opposite ends of which are connected to the plates 52 and whichsprocket chains encircle upper and lower sprocket wheels I01, I08. Theupper sprocket wheels I01 are keyed to the shaft I03 and the lowersprocket wheels I08 are rotatably connected to the side columns of thefeed end unit C adjacent to the floor. The weight of the verticallymovable assembly is counterbalanced by a weight H0 slidably supportedbetween the two outside channel members of the left-hand column of theframe of the feed end unit C and operatively connected to the left endof the shaft I03 by a cable HI connected thereto and, after passing overa sheave II2, rotatably supported at the top of the left-hand column ofthe frame to a drum 3 keyed to the left-hand end of the shaft I03. Thehoist motor I00 may be operated in opposite directions to raise andlower the vertically movable assembly and align the pinch rolls 34, 35with the top of the stack of veneer on the truck 32 by the operatorthrough suitable control means, such as, foot-operated switches H4, H5on the platform 33, the former of which causes the motor I00 to operatein one direction when depressed and the latter in the oppositedirection.

The floating conveyor table D comprises a. plurality of belts I20encircling rolls I2I, I22 at opposite ends of the table. The roll I2Iadjacent to the in-feed unit C is rotatably supported in the lower endof levers l23, one located at each end of the roll, by shaft-likeextensions I24 on the roll proper. The upper ends of the levers I23 arepivotally connected to projections I25 on opposite plates 52 of thevertically movable assembly of the feed end unit C. The lower or exitend roll I22 forms a part of the discharge end unit E which is similarin construction: to the feed end unit C and is not herein shown anddescribed in detail; however, the corresponding parts, with theexception of theroll I22; are des i'gnated by the same referencecharacters with prime marksaddedi The roll I22 comprises shaft-likeextensions on opposite ends of thsroll proper, which extensionsare-rotatablysupported in suitable-bearings welded to tha plates 52" ofthe vertically movable assembly of the discharge and unit E. The rollI22 occupies the same position in the discharge and unit ii? that the:roll 34 occupies in the feed endunit C but isslightly difier-ent inconstruction from the roll 34 because it carries the belts I20 whereastheroll 34 directly engages the veneer. The belts: I20 are maintained inpredetermined spacedrelatlon" to each other on the rolls I 2I. I22 bybands I213 ofbelting encircling therolls and: fixed thereto insomesuitablemanner.

The belts I20 are supported intermediate the rolls I21, I22 bytransversely extending beams I30; I34 provided with top plates I32, I33upon which the upper reaches of the belts I20 rest. Opposite ends of thebeams I30, I3I are supported by side assemblies I34 comprising tubularmembers I35 to which the transversely extend-- ing beams I30, I34 aredirectly connected and and members I36, I31. Thcend members I36arepivotally connected to the shaft-like extensions I24-oi the'roll I24and arefixedly secured tothe tubular members I35 as by being weldedthereto. The lower end members I31 are pivotally connectedto theshaft-like extensions of the roll I22 and have elongated; cylindricalends I30 which are slidably supported within the lower ends oiv thetubular members I35, which construction permits the length of the sideassemblies I34 and the table to vary as the vertically movableassemblies of the end units C and E are raised and lowered. Thistogether with the fact that the upper end of the conveyor D is pivotallyconnected to the links I23which links are in turn pivotally connectedtothe extensions I25 on the side plates 52 of the vertically movableassembly of the feedend unit 0, allows the conveyor to function:properly for any position of the apparatus.

With the exception of the fact that the upper roll 35' of the pinchrolls of the discharge end unit Econtinuously rides upon the belts I20,the discharge end unit E is similar in construction and operation to theupper roll 35 of the pinch rolls of the feed end unit:C. Inaddition tobeing, supported in a. manner similar to the pinch rolls 34; 35 of thefeedendunit C, the rolls I 2|, 35" of the. discharge end unit E aredriven in a similar manner from an. electric motor 62' corresponding tothe motor 62 of. the feed end unit C. The motor 62 drives the belts I20through the roll, I2I and the construction is such that a sheet ofveneer fed to the floating conveyor table D by the pinch rolls 34, 35will be moved alongthc table by the belts I20 and discharged by thepinchrolls I22, 35' uponone of. the'decks I0,, I I, I2 or ia-orthe indeed endof theveneer dryer A.

The vertically movable assembly of the discharge end unit Eis-counterbalanced in a manner similar to that in whichthe verticallymovable assembly of the feed end unitG is counterbalanced and isadapted, to be moved vertically by a discharge end unit, electricalhoist motor I correspondingto the hoist motor I00 and connected to therolls of thevertically movable assembly in a similar manner to that inwhich the hoist motor I00 is connected to the corresponding assembly ofthe feed end unit C. The control for the motor I00, however, isdiilerent from the control for the motor I00. The controlfor the motorI00 is'such that the vertically movable assembly of the discharge endunit E is automatically: moved tosequentially discharge a sheet ofveneer B from the floating table D onto the decks I0, I I, I2, I3,successively and to continuously repeat the cycle so long as themechanism continues in operation. The movement of the vertical assemblyof the discharge end unit E and-the closing and-opening of the pinchrolls 34, 35 are synchronized or timed with reference to the speed ofmovement of the decks of the dryer A by a synchronizing unit I40comprising a cam-operated switch I. The unit I40 is-connected by asprocket chain drive I42 to the front roller I'I of the lower deck I3and since the conveyor rollers of all oi the decks are driven at thesame speed from the motor 30, the switch I4I is rotated in timedrelation to the speed of the conveyor. The unit I40 preferably containsmeans for adjusting the time interval to provide for different lengthsheets, etc.

Referring to the wiring diagram, the apparatusis placed in operation bydepressing the start push button switch I45 to close the normally opencontacts I46, I41 thereof and establish a circuit from the power lineI48 through the normally closed contacts I50, I5I of the stop pushbutton switch I52, wire I53, the now closed normally open contacts I46,I41 of start pushbutton switch I45, wire I54, normall closed overloadcontacts I55, I56, wire I51, normally closed overload contacts I58, I59,wire I60, and operating solenoid I6I to line I62. The overload contactsI55, I56 and I58, I50, the operating solenoid I6I and the wires I51, I50are a part of a motor controller I63 for the motors 62, 62' which drivethe pinch rolls and the table of the feeding apparatus. Energization ofthe operating solenoid I6I of the motor controller I63 closes thenormally open contacts I64, I65 also forming a part of the motorcontroller which establishes a holding circuit around the start pushbutton switch I45 which may now be released. Energization of theoperating solenoid IEI also closes the normally open contacts I66 andI61, I68 and I69, I10 and HI connecting the motors 62, 62' to the powerlines I48, I62, I12 starting the motors 62, 62' which, in turn, drivethe pinch rolls 34, 35 and the pinch rolls I22, 35' and the belts I20,respectively. The motors continue to operate until stopped by depressingthe stop push button switch I52 to open its normally closed contacts andbreak the holding circut for the solenoid I6I. The start and stop pushbutton switches I45, I52 may be positioned at any convenient locationabout the machine.

The vertically movable assembly of the feed end unit C may be manuallyraised or lowered by closing the normally open pushbutton switches II4,II5 previously referred to. Closing, normally open push button switch II4 closes itsnormally open contacts I15, I16 establishing a circuit fromtheline I48 through the now closed contactsI15, I16, wire I11,overtravel safety limit switch I18, wire I19, normally closed contactsI80, IIII of motor controller I82, wire I83, operatingsolenoid I 84 ofmotor controller I82, wire I85, and normally closed overload contactsI86; I81 of motor controller I82. Energization of the Operating.solenoid I84 of motor controller- I02 closes the normally open contactsI90 and II, I92 and I93, I94 and I95, connecting the motor I80 to'thepower lines I48, I62, I12 in such a manner that the motor rotates in adirection to raise the vertically movable assembly of the feed end unitC. Simultaneously with the closing of the contacts I90 to I85, normallyclosed contacts 200, 20! are opened, which eliminates any possibility ofthe motor being accidentally connected to the power lines for rotationin an opposite direction by depressing the lowering push button switchH5. The motor I continues to rotate in a direction to raise the pinchrolls 34, 35, etc., as long as switch H4 is held closed or until thesafety limit switch I18 opens.

The motor I88 is operated in the opposite direction to lower thevertically movable assembly of the feed end unit C by closing the switchH5 to close the normally open contacts 205, 206 thereof, therebyestablishing a circuit from the line I48 through the switch II5, wire201, down safety limit switch 208, wire 209, normally closed contacts-0, 2! of motor controller I82, wire 2I8, operating solenoid 2 of motorcontroller I82, wire I85, and overload contacts I86, I81 to line I62.Energization of the operating solenoid 2II closes the normally opencontacts 2I2 and 2I3, 2I4 and 2I5, and 2I6 and 2I1 of motor controllerI82, thereby connecting the hoist motor I08 to the power lines I48, I62and I12 for rotation in the opposite direction; that is, in a directionto lower the movable assembly of the in-feed unit C. The motor continuesto operate as long as the switch I I5 is held closed or until the safetylimit switch 208 opens.

With the motor in operation and the conveyor mechanism or rollers of thedecks of the dryer A in operation, the switch I4! forming a part ofsynchronizing unit I will be periodically closed. Assuming that thesheets of veneer being fed to the dryer are eight feet long, the switchMI is preferably closed, once for each three and one-third feet oftravel of the veneer or stock in the dryer. As the operator pushes asheet of veneer between the pinch rolls 34, 35 and into engagement withthe stop 36, the veneer actuates the limit switch 220 forming a part ofthe vertically movable assembly of the feed end unit 0 to close itsnormally open contacts 22I, 222; however, nothing further happens untilthe switch MI is operated to close normally open contacts 223, 224thereof and open its normally closed contacts 225, 226. The opening ofthe normally closed contacts 225, 226 break a holding circuit for anoperating solenoid 221 of a relay 228 having normally open contacts 229,230 and normally closed contacts 23I, 232, hereinafter more specificallyreferred to. The momentary closing of the normally open contacts 223,224 of switch I4l establishes a circuit from the line I48 through thecontacts 223, 224, wire 235, now closed contacts 22I, 222 of limitswitch 220, wire 236, and operating solenoid 231 of relay 238 to lineI82.

Energization of operating solenoid 231 of relay 238 closes the normallyopen contacts 240 and 24I, 242 and 243, 244 and 245 thereof. The closingof the normally open contacts 248, I of relay 238 establishes a holdingcircuit for the relay from the line I48 to the wire 235. The closing ofthe normally open contacts 242, 243' and 244, 245 of relay 238 connectsthe operating solenoid 246 of the solenoid valve which controls the flowof pressure fluid to and from the motors 84 to cause the valve torelease the pressure fluid in the motor and allow the top roll 35 todrop into engagement with the veneer therebetween and the bottom roll34. Simultaneously with the movement of the upper roll 35 intoengagement with the veneer therebeneath, the stop 36 is raised allowingthe sheet of veneer to be fed by the pinch rolls onto the belts I20 ofthe floatin conveyor table D.

The re-closing of contacts 225, 226 of switch I4I after beingmomentarily opened, establishes a circuit from the line I48 through thenow closed contacts 225, 226 of switch I4I, wire 250, normally closedcontacts 23I, 232 of relay 228, wire 25I and operating solenoid 252 ofrelay 253 to line I62. Energization of the operating solenoid 252 ofrelay 253 closes its normally open contacts 254, 255 establishing acircuit from the line I48 through the contacts 254, 255, wire 256, andoperating solenoid 251 of relay 258 to line I62. Energization of theoperating solenoid 251 of relay 258 closes its normally open contacts260 and 26I, 262 and 263. The closing of the normally open contacts 260,26I of relay 258 establishes a circuit from the line I48 through the nowclosed contacts 225, 226 of switch I4I, wire 250, now closed contacts260, 26I of relay 258, wire 264, and operating solenoid 221 of relay 228to line I62. The energization of the operating solenoid 221 of relay 228closes the normally open contacts 229, 230 thereof and opens itsnormally closed contacts 23I, 232. The closing of contacts 229, 230establishes a holding circuit around the contacts 260, 26I of relay 258from the wire 250 to the wire 264 and the opening of the normally closedcontacts 23I, 232 of relay 228 deenergizes the operating sole noid 252of relay 253 allowing its normally open contacts 254, 255 to open which,in turn, deenergizeg the operating solenoid 251 of relay 258.

The closing of normally open contacts 262, 263 of relay 258 establishesa circuit from the line I43 through the Wire 265, normally closedcontacts 266, 261 of selecting switch 268, wire 210, normally closedcontacts 21I, 212 of up travel, safety limit switch 213, wire 214,normally closed contacts 215, 216 of limit switch 211 connected to theframe of the discharge end unit E, wire 218, contacts 280, 28I of motorcontroller 282, wire 283, operating solenoid 284 of motor controller282, wire 28", and overload contacts 286. 281 of motor controller 282 toline I62.

Energization of the operating solenoid 284 of motor controller 282closes the normally open contacts 288 and 289, 298 and 281, 292 and 293,284 and 295 and opens the normally closed contacts 296 and 291. Theclosing of the normally open contacts 288, 289 of motor controller 282establishes a holding circuit for the operating solenoid 284 thereofaround the contacts 262, 263 of relay 258 from the line I48 to the wire265. The closing of the normally open contacts 298 and 29I, 292 and 283,294 and 295 of motor controller 282 connects the discharge end unithoist motor I to the power lines I48, I62, I12 so that it operates in adirection to raise the vertically movable assembly of the discharge endunit E. The motor continues to operate and the unit to raise until limitswitch 211 which is connected to the frame of the discharge end unit Eis opened by an adjustable stop 298 carried by a rod 299 connected tothe right-hand plate 52' of the discharge end unit E, there being onesuch stop for each of the intermediate decks of the dryer. The openingof the normally closed contacts 215, 216 or limit switch 211 breaks thecircuit for the operating solenoid 284 of the motor controller 282causing the motor to stop and the solenoid 9 release brake'associatedtherewith to be applied. The discharge end unit is now in position todischarge the sheet of veneer being fed to the table D onto the deckwith which the pinch rolls I22, 35' thereof are now aligned; that is,deck I2 which 'is the second deck from the bottom.

When the sheet of veneer being fed passes through the feed orpinch rolls34, 35 of the feed .end unit C, the switch 220 which was held closed bythe veneer operates to open its normally open contacts 221, 222, thusbreaking the circuit for the operating solenoid 231 of relay 238 which,in turn, deenergizes the operating solenoid 245 of the solenoid valve,allowing pressure fluid to be again applied to the motors 8:1 to raisethe top 'roll 35 and lower the stop 36. The sheet of veneer is fed ontothe deck of the dryer at a considerably higher speed than that at whichit travels through the dryer because the feeding mechanism feeds fourdecks successively.

After a sheet of veneer has been fed onto one of the decks, the cycle ofoperations just described is repeated by the switch I4I being againoperated instantaneously by the synchronizing 4 mechanism. As thevertically movable assembly of the discharge end unit E reaches thethird deck from the bottom; that is, deck II, it is stopped by anadjustable stop 300 similar to the stop 298 previously referred to. Whenthe vertically movable assembly reaches the top deck, with the pinchrolls I22, 35' in alignment with "the top deck I of the dryer A, a cam30| on the frame of the discharge end unit E operates the selectingswitch 268 to open the previously closed contacts 265, 261 thereof andclose contacts 302, 303 of the selecting switch 268. Upon the nextoperation of the sequence switch I and the resultant closing of thenormally open contacts 262, 263 of relay 258, as previously described, acircuit :is established which causes the discharge unit hoist motor I60to operate in a direction to lower the vertically movable assembly toits bot- :tom position; that is, with the pinch rolls I22, 35' inalignment with the lower deck I3 of the dryer A. With the selectingswitch 268 in the position just referred to, the closing of the normallyopen contacts 262, 263 of relay 258 establishes a circuit from the lineI48 through the contacts 262, 263, wire 265, now closed contacts 302,303 of selecting switch 268, wire 304, normally closed contacts 305, 306of down travel safety limit switch 301, wire 303, normally closedcontacts 296, 291 of motor controller 282, wire 303, operating solenoid3I0 of motor controller 282, wire 285, and overload contacts 286, 281 toline 262, thereby energizing the solenoid 3I0 and closing the normallyopen contacts 3| I and 3I2, 3I3 and 3M, 3I5 and 3I6, 3H and 3I8 of.motorcontroller 282. The closing of normally open contacts 3, M2 establishesa holding circuit *for the operating solenoid 3I0 around the contacts262, 263 of relay 258.

The closing of the normally open contacts 3I3 and 3I4, M5 and 3I6, 3Hand 3I8 connects the discharge unit hoist motor I00 to the power linesI46, I62, I12 in such a manner that the motor rotates in a direction tolower the vertically movable assembly including the pinch rolls I22, 35.The motor continues to operate and the assembly to descend until theassembly reaches the lower position, at which time the selecting switch263 is again operated by a cam 3I9 on the frame of the discharge endunit to open contacts 302, 303 thereof to deenergize the operatingsolenoid 3H] and stop the motor. Operation of the selecting switch 260to open the contacts 302, 303 thereof causes contacts 266, 261 of theswitch to subsequently close and reestablish the circuit so that thedischarge unit hoist motor I00 will be operated in the reversedirection; that is, in the direction to raise the vertically movableassembly of the hoist unit E upon the next closing of the normally opencontacts 262, 263 of relay 258 upon the subsequent actuation of theswitch MI. The cycle of operations continues with the feeding mechanismdelivering veneer to the decks of the dryer in sequence as long as themachine is continued in operation and veneer is introduced between thepinch rolls 34, of the feed end unit C.

Provision is made for manually controlling the dropping of the upperpinch roll 35 in the form of a push button switch 320 comprisingnormally open contacts 321,. 322, the closing of which establishes acircuit from the line I48 through the contacts 32L 322, wire 236, andoperating solenoid 231 of relay 238 to the line I62. The discharge unithoist motor I00 can be operated in either direction by the operatorthrough the medium of push button switches 323, 324. When the pushbutton switch 323 is operated to close its normally open contacts 325,326, the operating solenoid 284 of motor controller 282 is eneril 1gized and causes the motor to operate in a direction to raise thevertically movable assembly of the discharge end unit E. When the pushbutton switch 324 is operated to close its normally open contacts 321,328, the operating solenoid 3| 0 of motor controller 282 is energizedand causes the motor to operate in a direction to lower the verticallymovable assembly of the discharge end unit E.

While the invention has been herein illustrated and described as thougha single row of veneer was being processed at one time, the usualpractice is to process a plurality of rolls simultaneously, the numberdepending upon the width of the veneer sheets being treated and thewidth 1' of the dryer, etc. It is also to be understood that thevertically movable assembly of the feed end unit C may be positioned atsome convenient height above the floor and the veneer fed thereto in anysuitable manner, either manually or automatically. Regardless of how thesheets of veneer are brought to and inserted between the pinch rolls 34,35 of the feed end unit, the feed mechanism of the present inventionwill automatically feed veneer to a multiple deck dryer in predeterminedsequence and in properly spaced relation with respect to the otherveneer on the various decks.

In the alternative construction shown in Fig. 9, the floating table Dand the discharge end unit E are omitted and the feed end unit C and theportion of track which supports the truck or trucks 32 in position forfeeding the veneer to the feed end unit C are both mounted on avertically movable platform or elevator 350. The elevator shown is ofthe hydraulic type operated by an electric motor driven pump and ismoved vertically to align the pinch rolls 34 35 of the feed end unit Cwith the particular deck III, II, I2 or I3 which it is desired to feedeither manually or automatically in a manner similar to that in whichthe vertically movable assembly of the discharge end unit is alignedwith the various decks previously described. The motor 62' is omitted,the motor, not shown, which operates the elevator 350 is substituted forthe motor I00.

Since the vertical movement of the elevator 353 and the entire unit Cwill correspond to the movement of the vertically movable assemblycomprising end plates 52 of the discharge end unit E in the firstdescribed embodiment, the control switch 268 is attached to the assemblycomprising the end plates 52, and the spaced stops 3!", 3!!! foractuating the switch are appropriately attached to the frame of theconveyor decks ill to l3, and operate the switch in the manner describedpreviously, when the elevator moves vertically. Likewise, the switches213 and 211 are supported on the conveyor deck frame and are actuated bythe stops 293, 33! attached to the rod 299 which is in turn attached toone of the end plates 52 of the pinch roll assembly and the stopscooperating with the switches control the position of the elevator tosuccessively align the pinch rolls 34, 35 with the respective conveyordecks, and limits the upward elevation of the assembly. The safetydownward travel limit switch 381' is attached to the lower part of theframe of the end unit C and cooperates with a stop 35l to discontinueoperation of the pump motor similar to the manner in which it operatesto stop elevator motor I in the first described embodiment.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 8, the verticallymovable assembly of the discharge end unit E is moved vertically as theveneer sheets feed between the pinch rolls 34, 35. In the embodimentshown in Fig. 9, however, the veneer is fed directly from the pinchrolls to the conveyor decks and therefore the vertical movement of theelevator to align the pinch rolls with the next above conveyor deck mustnot occur until after the veneer has moved from the pinch rolls andprior to the feeding of a succeeding sheet therebetween. This action isaccomplished by installing a normally closed switch in the wire 250between the contacts 225 226 of time switch MI and contacts 26, 232 ofthe electromagnetic relay 228, which switch is opened by the solenoid231 when it is energized by closure of the contacts 22!, 222 of theveneer operated switch 220.

The pinch roll unit can be adjusted vertically to accommodate the pinchrolls to the top position of the stack of veneer to be fed therethroughby manual operation of the push buttons Ill, H5 as describedhereinbefore, and at the same time, the vertical position of theelevator should be correspondingly adjusted to maintain the pinch rollswithin their range of movement into alignment with the respectiveconveyor decks l0l3 by operation of the manual control push buttons 323,324 as described hereinbefore.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the objects heretoforeenumerated and others have been accomplished and that there has beenprovided a novel and improved apparatus for feeding veneer to a multipledeck dryer, or, in fact, any similar sheet material to a multiple deckmachine in predetermined sequence and in predetermined spaced relation.While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been described withconsiderable detail, the invention is not limited to the particularconstruction shown and it is the intention to cover hereby alladaptations, modifications and uses thereof which come within thepractice of those skilled in the art to which the invention relates andthe scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In equipment for loading material in sheet form into a multiple deckconveyor type machine having power driven conveyor decks, thecombination of a feed end unit to feed sheet material to said deckconveyors, said unit comprising a frame and a pair of pinch rolls, meansfor driving said pinch rolls, means for producing relative movement ofsaid pinch rolls toward and from each other, and means for automaticallycontrolling the movement of said pinch rolls toward each other includinga control device actuated by a sheet moving between said pinch rolls anda device operated at intervals proportional to the speed of the conveyordecks and cooperating with the first mentioned control device toinitiate movement of said pinch rolls toward each other.

2. In equipment for loading material in sheet form into a multiple deckconveyor type machine, the combination of a feed end unit comprising aframe, a vertically movable assembly carried by said frame, manuallycontrolled power means for moving said assembly vertically, a pair ofpinch rolls carried by said assembly, means for producing relativemovement of said pinch rolls toward and from each other, and means forautomatically controlling the movement of said pinch rolls toward eachother comprising a device a(: tuated by a sheet moved between said pinchrolls and an intermittently operated device operated at predeterminedintervals and cooperating with the first mentioned control device toinitiate movement of said pinch rolls toward each other.

3. In equipment for loading material in sheet form into a multiple deckconveyor type machine, the combination of a feed end unit comprising aframe and a pair of pinch rolls, means for driving said pinch rolls,means for producing relative movement of said pinch rolls toward andfrom each other, a conveyor type table having its feed end adjacent tosaid pinch rolls, a discharge end unit comprising a frame and avertically movable assembly having the opposite end of said conveyortype table connected thereto for movement therewith, and means formoving said vertically movable assembly of said discharge end unit intimed relation to the relative movement of said pinch rolls toward andfrom each other.

4. In equipment for loading material in sheet form into a multiple deckconveyor type machine, the combination of a feed end unit comprising aframe and a pair of pinch rolls, means for driving said pinch rolls,means for producing relative movement of said pinch rolls toward andfrom each other, a conveyor type table having its feed end adjacent tosaid pinch rolls, a discharge end unit comprising a frame and avertically movable assembly including a. pair of pinch rolls, means forpivotally connecting the discharge and of said conveyor type table tosaid vertically movable assembly for movement therewith, and means formoving said vertically movable assembly of said discharge end unit intimed relation to the relative movement of said pinch rolls toward andfrom each other.

5. In equipment for feeding material in sheet form into a multiple deckconveyor type machine, the combination of a feed end unit comprising aframe and a vertically movable assembly including a pair of pinch rolls,means for raising and lowering said assembly, means for driving saidpinch rolls, means for producing relative movement of said pinch rollstoward and from each other, a conveyor type table connected at one endto said vertically movable assembly for movement therewith, a dischargeend unit comprising a frame and a vertically movable assembly having theoppositeend of said conveyor type table connected theretoformovement'therewith, and means fern-loving said'vertically movableassembly ofsaidzdischarg-e end unit in timed relation to the relativemovement of said pinch rolls toward-and from each other.

6. In equipment for feedin material insheet form into a multiple deckconveyor type machine, the combination of a feed end unit cornprising aframe and a vertically movable assembly including a pair of pinch rolls,means for raising and lowering said assembly, means for driving saidpinch rolls, means for producing relative movement of said pinchrollstoward and from each other, aconveyor type table conneoted at oneend to said vertically movable assembly formovement therewith, adischarge end unit comprising a frame and a vertically movable assemblyincluding a pair of pinch rolls, means for;pivotally connectingthedischarge end of said conveyor type table to said vertically movableassembly for movement therewith, and means for moving said verticallymovable assembly of said discharge end unit in timed relation to therelative movement of said pinch rolls toward and from each other.

7. In equipment for feeding material in sheet form into a multiple deckconveyor type machine,

the combination of a feed end unit comprising a frame and a verticallymovable assembly including a pair of pinch rolls, means for raising andlowering said assembly, means for driving said pinch rolls means forproducin relative movement of said pinch rolls toward and from eachother, a conveyor type table connected at one end to said verticallymovable assembly for movement therewith, a discharge end unit comprisinga frame and a vertically movable assembly having the opposite end ofsaid conveyor type table connected thereto for movement therewith, andmeans for moving said vertically movable assembly of said discharge endunit in timed relation to the relative movement of said pinch rollstoward and from each other, said last-named means comprising a controlmechanism adapted to be operatively connected to the conveyor mechanismof said machine whereby said pinch rolls and said vertically movableassembly of said discharge end unit are moved in timed relation to thespeed of the conveyor.

8. In equipment for loading material in sheet form into a multiple deckconveyor type machine, the combination of a feed unit comprising aframe, a vertically movable unit carried by said frame and including apair of pinch rolls, means for driving said pinch rolls, means forproducing relative movement of said pinch rolls toward and from eachother, and power means for movil'lg said frame vertically apredetermined distance to move the pinch rolls from a sheet dischargeposition relative to one of the multiple decks of the machine to a sheetdischarge position relative to an adjacent one of the multiple decks intimed relation to the relative movement of said pinch rolls toward andfrom each other.

9. In equipment for feeding material in sheet form into a multiple deckconveyor type machine, the combination of a feed unit comprising aframe, elevator means for supporting said frame, a vertically movableassembly carried by said frame and including a pair of pinch rolls,means for raising and lowering said assembly, means for driving saidpinch rolls, means for producing relative movement of said pinch rollsand control means to intermittently initiate operation of said elevatingmeans at intervals which are a function of the speed of the conveyordecks, which control means includes a control device operated insynchronism with the power driven conveyor decks.

11. In equipment for loading sheet material into a multiple power drivenconveyor decktype machine, a sheet feeding mechanism including powerdriven elevating means shiftable vertically to direct sheet materialinto different ones of the multiple conveyor decks of the machine, andelectrical control means to intermittently initiate operation of saidelevating means at intervals which are a function of the speed of theconveyor decks, which electrical control means includes an electricswitch opened and closed in synchronism with the power driven conveyordecks.

12. In equipment for loading sheet material into a multiple power drivenconveyor deck type machine, a power driven sheet feeding unit operativeto move sheets toward the machine, and control means for said sheetfeeding unit co prising a control device actuated by a sheet moved intofeeding position with respect to said sheet feeding unit and a controldevice operated in synchronism with the driven conveyor decks of themachine and cooperating with the first mentioned control device atintervals proportional to the speed of the conveyor decks to render saidsheet feeding unit operative.

13. In equipment for loading sheet material into a multiple power drivenconveyor deck type machine, a power driven pinch roll mechanismoperative to move sheets toward the machine, and control means tointermittently render said pinch roll mechanism operative comprising acontrol device actuated by a sheet moved to feed position relative tosaid pinch roll, a control device operated in synchronism with thedriven conveyor decks of the machine and cooperating with the firstmentioned control device at intervals proportional to the speed of theconveyor decks to render said pinch roll mechanism operative.

14. In equipment for loading sheet material into a multiple power drivendeck conveyor type machine, the combination of a power operated sheetfeeding mechanism power means for moving said sheet feeding mechanisminto alignment with the respective conveyor decks, and control means foractuating said power operated sheet feeding mechanism and said powermeans in synchronism, said control means including a device operating insynchronism with the power operated conveyor decks.

15. In equipment for loading sheet material into a multiple conveyordeck type machine, the combination of a frame, a sheet feeding unitcarried by said frame for vertical movement, power actuated means formoving said sheet feeding unit, a second frame spaced from the firstmentioned frame and adjacent to the multiple deck conveyor machine, asheet discharge unit carried by said second frame for vertical movementto discharge sheets onto any of the multiple decks of the conveyormachine, a sheet conveyor structure connected at one end with said sheetfeeding unit and at the other end with said sheet discharge unit andoperative to transfer sheets from said sheet feeding unit to said sheetdischarge unit, and automatically controlled power actuated means toraise and lower said sheet discharge unit.

16. In equipment for loading sheet material into a multiple conveyordeck type machine, the combination of a frame, a sheet feeding unitcarried by said frame for vertical movement, power actuated means formoving said sheet feedin unit, a second frame spaced from the firstmentioned frame and adjacent to the multiple deck conveyor machine, asheet discharge unit carried by said second frame for vertical movementto discharge sheets onto any of the multiple decks of the conveyormachine, a telescoping sheet conveyor structure connected at one endwith said sheet feeding unit and at the other end with said sheetdischarge unit and operative to transfer sheets from said sheet feedingunit to said sheet discharge unit, and automatically controlled poweractuated means to raise and lower said sheet discharge unit, saidtelescoping conveyor structure being shortened as said units approach acommon level and lengthening when said units move from a common level.

1'7. In equipment for loading material in sheet form into a multipledeck power driven conveyor type machine, the combination of verticallymovable feed means having an entering end and a discharge end, said feedmeans including a pa r of pinch rolls, means for driving said pinchrolls, power actuated means for vertically moving said entering end ofsaid feed means, power actuated means for producing relative movement ofsa d pinch rolls toward and from each other, and automaticallycontrolled power actuated means for moving said discharge end of saidfeed means vertically in timed relation to the relative movement of saidpinch rolls relative to each other.

CLARENCE E. PARKER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 644,520 Jones Feb. 2'7, 1900 1,141,277 Smith June 1, 19151,307,969 Harris June 24, 1919 1,570,592 Parker Jan. 19, 1926 1,913,533Brunner June 13, 1933 1,949,281 Moore Feb. 27, 1934 2,058,729 SekulskiOct. 27, 1936 2,246,508 Davidson June 24, 1941

